LDWF Now Offering Android and iPhone Apps to Report Violations

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now offering LADWF Tips apps for both Android and iPhone users to report outdoor related violations to Enforcement Division agents through their tip411 program.

LDWF's tip411 program is a part of their Operation Game Thief program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions.

“We unveiled the LADWF Tips app for iPhones in 2011 and it has shown to be very useful and has helped make a number of cases that have led to arrests and convictions,” said LDWF Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the Enforcement Division. “We are pleased to announce that we now have an Android app that will reach a larger percentage of people that can now report wildlife violations.”

Users can download the LADWF Tips iPhone and Android apps from iTunes or Google Play store free of charge. Citizens can also send an anonymous tip to LDWF by texting LADWF and their tip to 847411.

Texting or downloading the apps enables the public to send anonymous tips to LDWF and lets LDWF respond back, creating a two-way anonymous “chat”. Users of the app or texters can also send in photos to help support their claim and be used as evidence.

CitizenObserver, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text.

"We’re proud to make this technology available to our citizens free of charge. This tip411 program will help our citizens play an active role in helping us enforce current conservation rules and regulations," said Col. Vidrine. "This program will engage younger folks in the process and it will save our agency time and resources."

LDWF will monitor the tip411 program for incoming tips 24 hours a day.